United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that South Africa would be excluded from the 2026 G20, to be hosted in Miami, and that all US payments and subsidies to the country would be halted immediately. This comes after Trump and US officials skipped recently concluded G20 2025 summit in Johannesburg.
Trump calls out South Africa’s refusal to handover presidency
In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticised the South African government for what he described as the unlawful seizure of farms and the mistreatment of the country’s white minority. He reiterated the reasons for the US boycott of the summit and reaffirmed that the country would maintain the same stance. He also called out South Africa’s refusal to hand over the G20 Presidency to a senior US Embassy representative who attended the closing ceremony in Johannesburg. Trump highlighted that South Africa has “demonstrated to the World they are not a country worthy of Membership anywhere.”
Trump also criticised major media outlets, including the New York Times, claiming they have failed to report on the alleged abuses. He framed the issue as part of a broader narrative of media bias and the decline of “radical left” influence in the United States.
Here’s what Trump posted
“The United States did not attend the G20 in South Africa, because the South African Government refuses to acknowledge or address the horrific Human Right Abuses endured by Afrikaners, and other descendants of Dutch, French, and German settlers. To put it more bluntly, they are killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them. Perhaps, worst of all, the soon to be out of business New York Times and the Fake News Media won’t issue a word against this genocide. That’s why all the Liars and Pretenders of the Radical Left Media are going out of business! “ Trump stated.
“At the conclusion of the G20, South Africa refused to hand off the G20 Presidency to a Senior Representative from our U.S. Embassy, who attended the Closing Ceremony. Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida next year. South Africa has demonstrated to the World they are not a country worthy of Membership anywhere, and we are going to stop all payments and subsidies to them, effective immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added.
South African President reacts to Trump’s statement
Reacting to Trump’s statement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called the action by the US regrettable. He said that despite the efforts and numerous attempts by him and his administration to reset the diplomatic relationship with the US, Trump continues to apply punitive measures against South Africa based on misinformation and distortions.
Ramaphosa said, “South Africa will continue to participate as a full, active and constructive member of the G20. We call on members of the G20 to reaffirm its continued operation in the spirit of multilateralism, based on consensus, with all members participating on an equal footing in all of its structures. It is regrettable that despite the efforts and numerous attempts by President Ramaphosa and his administration to reset the diplomatic relationship with the US, President Trump continues to apply punitive measures against South Africa based on misinformation and distortions about our country.”
